Extensive damage can be seen at the ExxonMobil refinery on Feb. 18, 2015, following an explosion and fire that shook Torrance. The South Coast AQMD has ruled that projects that monitor air quality, improve the emergency alert system or provide greater outreach to residents will receive priority in using funds from penalties assessed against ExxonMobil over the blast. File photo. (Brad Graverson / Staff Photographer)

Projects that monitor air quality around the Torrance refinery, improve the emergency alert system or provide greater outreach to residents will receive priority for almost $2.8 million in funding from the South Coast Air Quality Management District.

The agency’s governing board approved issuing a request for proposals for those kinds of projects at a meeting Friday in Diamond Bar.

Anyone can propose a potential project, said Chief Operating Officer Jill Whynot in an interview after the meeting.

“We wrote the RFP very generally so we could basically consider any suggestions community members may have,” she said. “There’s very little restriction on the money. It just needs to be spent on projects that would benefit the residents of this area.”

The $2,7771,250 available comes from penalties ExxonMobil incurred in the wake of a February 2015 refinery explosion and subsequent dirtier-than-normal restart.

The announced prioritization of the money came as a relief to residents, who feared the city might attempt to siphon off the funds for pet “green” projects.

“Spending the funds to purchase electric vehicles for the city and solar panel-covered parking at City Hall is stretching the stated intent of using the funds to benefit the residents and provide projects that will result in public health and quality-of-life-improvements,” said John Bailey, board president of the Southeast Torrance Homeowners Association.

“We asked for a more robust siren alert system that could be heard in Southeast Torrance because, if a major accident involved hydrofluoric acid, it could impact our area,” he added. “SETHA residents cannot hear the siren during the monthly testing.”

Still, Sally Hayati, president of the Torrance Refinery Action Alliance, said the money and request for proposals were insufficient compensation for the environmental harm the plant causes.

“Our community pays the price for excess emissions in short- and long-term health impacts and in increased fear and worry,” she said. “As recompense, the community is now being given less than $3 million worth of environmental projects, without being given a direct say in how it is spent.

“Projects funded by these funds can’t repair health effects from excess emissions that have occurred and won’t reduce future emissions,” she added. “Only improved and rigorous enforcement of strict emissions standards can do that, with far greater fines, other deterrence measures such as temporary shutdowns, better enforcement budgets, and the political will to reduce pollution.”

The AQMD’s governing board will decide what projects to fund at its January meeting.

However, more money for other projects also may be available.

The AQMD has $18.5 million in penalties imposed on ExxonMobil for excessive flaring at the refinery over the past year.

If there is not enough money for proposed projects in the initial almost $2.8 million, the other source could be tapped for eligible projects.

Still, Maureen Mauk, co-founder of Families Lobbying Against Refinery Exposure, said the board’s decision Friday should be considered a victory for local environmental activists.

“Over 40 FLARE members took the time to craft letters to the AQMD and attend last week’s community roundtable discussions” hosted by the AQMD, she said. “Progress can be made when the citizens come together at a grass-roots level to initiate change.

“It will be imperative for the residents of Torrance and the South Bay community to continue to keep pressure on those individuals and agencies that we have empowered to ensure our safety and well-being,” she added.

Veteran journalist Nick Green is the beat reporter for the cities of Torrance, Carson and Lomita and also covers the South Bay's rapidly growing craft beer industry for the Daily Breeze. He has worked for newspapers on the West Coast since graduating in 1987 from the University of Washington and lives in Old Torrance with his wife and two cats. Follow him on Twitter @NickGreen007 and @BeerGogglesLA.